# NTSB CEN11CA321: Chang RV-10, N718PF, Minford, OH, April 27, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 27, 2011, 09:44 local (13:44 UTC)
- Place: Minford, OH
- Coordinates: 38.876945, -82.851112 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8769&lon=-82.8511&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 3, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA-Cincinnati Flight Standards
- NTSB case key (mKey): 79045
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA321
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79045/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79045
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA321

## Probable cause

A loose fuel line fitting, which caused a fuel leak and subsequent in-flight fire.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Fuel system: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Chang Tien-Chien RV-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md?model=05630QV), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute-cruise: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) (defining event); cases with it: [Chang Tien-Chien RV-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=05630QV), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Chang Tien-Chien RV-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05630QV), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The experimental, amateur-built airplane was in the Phase 1 flight test phase and had accumulated about 4 hours flight time when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that he had noticed low fuel pressure during the accident flight. He activated the fuel boost pump, which returned the fuel pressure to within normal limits. As the airplane approached the intended destination airport, the pilot smelled smoke and observed a fire in front of his right foot. He discharged a fire extinguisher, which put out the fire; however, the cabin filled with smoke. He closed the fuel valve and opened the pilot's side door. The door separated and some of the smoke dissipated. The pilot observed a pasture off to the left through the open door. He subsequently landed on an uphill slope, causing substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed a loose fuel line fitting at the mechanical fuel pump. The fire occurred along the lower fuselage skin in the center console area, which ran forward to aft between the pilot and copilot seats. The lower fuselage skin was burned through as a result of the in-flight fire.

## Factual narrative

The experimental, amateur-built airplane was in the Phase 1 flight test phase and had accumulated about 4 hours flight time when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that he had noticed low fuel pressure during the accident flight. He activated the fuel boost pump, which returned the fuel pressure to within normal limits. As the airplane approached the intended destination airport, the pilot smelled smoke and observed a fire in front of his right foot. He discharged a fire extinguisher, which put out the fire; however, the cabin filled with smoke. He closed the fuel valve and opened the pilot's side door. The door separated and some of the smoke dissipated. The pilot observed a pasture off to the left through the open door. He subsequently landed on an uphill slope, causing substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed a loose fuel line fitting at the mechanical fuel pump. The fire occurred along the lower fuselage skin in the center console area, which ran forward to aft between the pilot and copilot seats. The lower fuselage skin was burned through as a result of the in-flight fire.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N718PF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N718PF-2011-07-27), registration cancelled 2011-07-27, S/N 40948, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Chang RV-10
- Registry model: [Chang Tien-Chien RV-10](https://openairdocs.org/model/chang-tien-chien-rv-10) (registry code 05630QV) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-D4A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-d4a5) (registry code 41798, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 40948
- Airframe hours: 4
- Engines: Lycoming YIO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Flight test, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, April 20, 2011
- Departed: EOP, Waverly, OH
- Destination: PMH, Minford, OH
- Airport: PMH, Greater Portsmouth Regional

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 9, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 1,335 total, 4 in this make and model, 1,269 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Observed at: PMH, 2 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20110427010349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110427010349A), Apr 27, 2011: Chang Tien-Chien RV-10, Minford, OH, Substantial damage. N718PF was in phase I flight test. On approach to pike county airport (keop) the pilot noticed the fuel pressure was low. He turned on boost pump and the fuel…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 7, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79045. 1.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348435&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- E-mail Correspondence -- FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 9 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348597&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=E-mail%20Correspondence%20--%20FAA%20Inspector-Redacted.PDF

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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